Pain and Suffering: The Experience of Patients With Terminal Cancer

Purpose/objectives: Analyze the meaning of pain and suffering experienced by patients with end-stage cancer from a systemic perspective.

Design: Qualitative study based on General Systems Theory.

Sample/participants: Ten patients with terminal stage cancer were interviewed.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the reasons for pain and suffering. From a systemic perspective, relationships and interrelationships between different categories, systems, and subsystems were established.

Findings: More than a third of the patients identified the spiritual factor as the primary cause of their pain and suffering, above other factors (psychological, economic). They emphasized the importance of faith, religion, and beliefs during their illness.

Implications For Providers: Including training on aspects of spiritual care in the academic curricula of health professionals would enhance the quality of care for patients at the end of their lives.